Economics

03/10/2015

Chinas new ideas promote gathering the information of tech companies users. The laws they are trying to in force require tech companies to turn over "snooping" mechanisms to the Chinese government. The United States is against the act of China trying to enforce laws to collect user data. China's inquiries are mainly about tech companies encryption keys to their codes for personal data. The sharing of user data can threaten the U.S of economic cyber espionage. In an interview Obama stated his concerns for China requiring tech companies to give personal data to their firms.

"This is something that I’ve raised directly with President Xi," Obama said. "We have made it very clear to them that this is something they are going to have to change if they are to do business with the United States." (BBC)

Obama spoke on cyber security and consumer protection at Stanford University. Obama felt it would be critical for any international company to prosper while collects data to keep track of user data. He stated, "I don't think there's any U.S or European firm, international firm that can get away with that whole sale turning over of data".

China is concerned with any possible threats from religious extremist or separatists. "Beijing has argued the need to quickly ratchet up its cybersecurity measures in the wake of former NSA contractor Edward Snowden's revelations of sophisticated U.S. spying techniques." (reuters.com)

Its' difficult for smaller companies to shine when large scale companies get all of the shine. Google has pushed its competing rivals buttons such as Yandex. Yandex is a Russian Internet company which operates the largest search engine in Russia with about 60% market share in that country. According to bbc.com, Yandex alleges that its rival, Google has an unfair advantage because it insists device-makers set Google as the default search setting if they want to pre-install its Play store.

Googles restrictions are conflict with the way Yandex markets its company. The amount of shares on android phones are affected because of Google services. "Google's rivals have claimed Android is used as a way to give Google's other services an unfair competitive advantage". (bbc.com)

Although Yandex has filed an antitrust complaint against Google, the search engine has yet to respond. Google will most likely make an account that their rival search engines can be downloaded to android phones as long as their services aren't pre-downloaded.

It's agreeable that Google is one of the largest most used search engines. With such reliable and safe services, Google attracts millions of servers worldwide. Of course others countries would like their citizens to use there soft- ware hence that challenge of competing against Google. Other internet companies have complained about the unfair benefits that Google has. The "take-it-or-leave-it" rule where manufacturers can either install all of Googles complete serve including google maps, gmail, google play, or reject cellular service all together.

"We believe that user-centric services, such as search, maps, email, etc., should be unbundled from the Android OS. It is essential to return to a level playing field where competition is over quality of products and services rather than bundling and pre-installation."

Android is by a long way the most popular mobile device in Russia. Googles restriction of apps and other services are pushing away customers from local smart phone vendors in Russia. "Google has been under investigation for years in Europe regarding its approach to desktop search -- something that Yandex's CEO has publicity backed. The European Commission also recently voted to push forward with legislation that could see Google (and other search providers) forced to unbundle its search engine from its other services.Google wants there search engine to be the main search engine or nothing at all.

03/04/2015

Popular all over the world, Japanese animation (Commonly known as anime) has become a multibillion Yen export. Lots of Anime series and movies are based off their illustrated counterparts, Manga (Japanese comic books). If a single story is created in manga form, chances are it can be turned into an anime series, launch action figure, video game, and apparel sales, even inspire live action films. In some cases, theme parks could even spawn from the womb of artful creation that is manga/anime.

In 2009 Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso aimed to create 500,0oo new jobs, raise exports of Japanese "soft power" (Anime, film, manga, games, etc.) from 2% to 18% and in doing so, save the economy. Since Japan relies so heavily on overseas sales, it's no wonder the popular anime/manga series Dragon Ball Z (above) has made its comeback in the last few years.

Although the series ended in 2003, Akira Toriyama's brainchild has still maintained a cult following, remaining one of the most popular anime series in the world. DBZ's follow up series Dragon Ball GT, not so much. Even though the series ended in 2003, it was remastered, re-edited and re-released in 2009 as Dragon Ball Z Kai. The series has still retained its popularity, tying with Spongebob Squarepants in cable TV ratings just last month. 2013 saw a new feature length animated film carrying the title of Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods. (right)This film was greatly anticipated by the American fans who grew up in the 90's watching the original show. It's anticipation was met with a theatrical release in over 350 theaters in the U.S. and Canada in August of 2014.

The trailer for another DBZ film, "Resurrection of F" (below) has just surfaced all over the internet, exciting fans worldwide. Some may have criticisms of the film but regardless, another film has emerged from a franchise thought to be dead! This is closely following the American release of the video game Dragon Ball Xenoverse (left) in the U.S. This is a win-win for fans of the franchise, but also for the Japanese economy which has been following through on their plan to revitalize through the creation and export of more anime/manga, and other soft power products. Perhaps this is contributing the the upward trend the Japanese economy is predicted to have this year.

01/28/2015

The company Microsoft was founded in 1975 and is the top worldwide leader in software, services, devices and suggesting solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential to work with media networking.

In particular, Microsoft has been developing programs to help the development of countries that do not have the abitlity to reach outside of their networking services. For example, Microsoft’s program, 4Afrika Initiative was created to build Africa’s developing networking services, international communication and media. The programs goal is to build an internal communication within Africa and this program has grown since its first appearance in 1992 working with South Africa.

Recently Microsoft has been reaching out to the citizens of Ghana to help improve their services of internet, television, and cellular devices to connect with the other countries of Africa. Recently the citizens of Ghana were able to receive their first televised commercials through the help of Microsoft’s program 4Afrika Initiative and their service networking partnership. According to the Ghanaian Times, a state-owned daily press, this networking system has been allowing students and businesses to purchase affordable high speed internet bundles and devices that would help them connect to the global media (TV, internet, social media, and broadcasting) on a global spectrum. Not to say that Ghana hasn't been exposed to any sources of media within the country, but since the 4Afrika Initiative program citizens have been able to connect and grow outside of their homes bases. In Ghana there are a few sources of press (private, state-owned, and weekly), television broadcasting, and radio stations that its citizens have access to connect to. Moreover, by 2012 17% of Ghanaians were using the internet, but the internet services did not allow people to connect to the World Wide Web (www.)

09/08/2014

Uber, “Everyone’s Private Driver”. The slogan represents the car service company all too well. Once you have a smart phone, you then have the ability to hail a Cadillac Escalade and then be escorted around a city as if you were Barrack Obama. Not only can anyone use Uber, but anyone with a license can drive for Uber as well. Uber is combining smart phone technology and taxis to change transportation. Private car services and taxis are now losing business to the new company. Claims are being made that Uber drivers don’t have as many restrictions or have to obtain as many permits as the other companies. Germany is now placing a ban on Uber drivers. Is Uber so successful because there aren’t as many limitations, or is the company just changing the game of the car service industry for the better?

You can access and Uber driver in over 100 major cities and over 30 countries around the world. Paris, New York City, London, you name it and Uber most likely has base there. But in Berlin, Germany a ban is being placed on the usage of Uber. The Frankfurt court claims that uber doesn’t have the necessary legal permits to work in the city. While the case is being resolved in court, Uber was told that if they decide to continue operating, and lose the case then they could potentially be charged 300,000$ per ride they provided during the ban.

This isn’t the first time the American company had a ban placed on it in Germany’s court system. In April a similar case was over turned. Now that the demand for Uber is growing more popular, other car service companies are making stronger attempts to have them play by the rules.

‘‘Anyone who is willing to play by the rules is welcome in the market,’’ a Herman Waldner quote published in a NY Times article. He is the owner of one of Berlin’s leading taxi companies. That is the biggest complaint from other car service companies; they just want uber to have the same regulations and to create fair competition.

Uber claims its services are insured and that the drivers and riders wellbeing is a major concern. But it hasn’t seemed to stop the protestors yet. All precautions are taken and now it is a measure of survival of the fittest.

12/18/2012

When you bring up climate change or global warming to someone, they may make it into a controversial or debatable issue, but why? Well it could have something to do with mainstream media’s coverage of the topic, or lack thereof. In 2011, just before the EPA began to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act, it seemed as if only new media was covering the new regulations. According to Pew Research, “From December 7-11, more than half (52%) of the news links in blogs were about global warming”. That sounds about right for an issue that would affect 100% of the planet, but how did mainstream media cover this important topic? Well according to PEW, “while mainstream media have generally covered the issue less than have social media, global warming filled 10% of the mainstream newshole last week, the highest level of coverage since PEJ's News Coverage Index began tracking it in January 2007.” Clearly that is a step-up from the nearly non-existent coverage on climate change in the media, but it still remains true that this issue is mostly relegated to the internet.

Places like Europe, United Kingdom, and Germany have surpassed the United States in acknowledgment of such pressing issues. The organization Environment Canada said, “Legislative changes in Europe and the United Kingdom have been found to be directly correlated with an increased interest in developing a longer-term focus in the investment agenda.” They go on to say that the United States has more obstacles because addressing climate change is a conflict of interest to private businesses, specifically one’s with the largest greenhouse gas emissions. Dr. Ben Marzeion from the Institute for Meteorology and Geophysics said, “Melting glaciers will raise the sea level between 15 and 22 cm until 2100. Where we end up within this range is up to us – it mostly depends on how much greenhouse gas we will emit.” Climate Change Reality Project’s website says “Despite overwhelming international scientific consensus on climate change, the global community still lacks the resolve to implement meaningful solutions.” Environmental Organizations have focused most of their attention on the internet as a means to get the word out, because mainstream media just isn’t providing the information.